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The dinner would not be possible without the efforts of 18 volunteers who cooked and served the meal and provided transport.

Robina Stalker, 57, of Newfield Drive, Carlisle, helped to prepare the food and set the tables.

She said: “This is my first year here. I have split up from my husband and I wanted to do something useful rather than sit at home on my own.”

Lydia Barthelmes, 16, of Wigton, was another first-time volunteer. She said: “I think it will be good karma. I’d like to think that, if I’m alone when I’m older, something like this would be available to me.”

Rose Foster, of Stanwix, Carlisle, is also 16 but a veteran of the Christmas meal. She is the youngest of three generations of her family to volunteer.